The 21st Annual Pasadena Chalk Festival Returns To Paseo Colorado Shopping Center Father's Day Weekend, June 15-16

PASADENA, Calif., June 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Paseo Colorado shopping center welcomes the return of the 21^st Annual Pasadena Chalk Festival over Father's Day Weekend, June 15 – 16 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Over 600 dedicated and talented chalk artists from Southern California and beyond will come together at Paseo Colorado to showcase this unique art form. The festival offers visitors an opportunity to shop, dine or see a movie as they witness the amazing chalk murals created by the artists come to life before their very eyes during the two-day festival which is free and open to the public.

Celebrating its 21^st year, the Pasadena Chalk Festival places over 25,000 sticks of pastel chalks in the hands of hundreds of Madonnari (Italian for street painter) to spend the weekend creating spectacular murals on concrete areas throughout the shopping center that stretches over three city blocks.  In every style imaginable, from classical to contemporary, whimsical and fantastic, to socially relevant, the murals are designed and created by independent artists as well as teams representing art schools, museums and cultural centers. The artists are an incredibly diverse group, representing many ethnicities and age ranges. Prestigious cultural festivals in Europe, North America and South America celebrate this traditional art form and are popular attractions for artists, art lovers and people from all walks of life.

In addition to the extraordinary opportunity to watch artists at work, guests can enjoy live music throughout the weekend and children can get creative in the Kid's Chalkland, where kids can make Father's Day cards for dad.  There will also be a Pasadena Police Classic Car Show on Sunday from 10am to 3pm featuring classic and fun cars as well as the Pasadena Police Helicopter.

One of the highlights of the Pasadena Chalk Festival is Animation Alley, a specifically designed area spotlighting some of the top and upcoming animators and graphic designers from Southern California. This feature has proven to be a success as gifted artists shaped masterful chalk renderings of their signature work, including classic characters, renowned personalities from film and television and the artist's own original murals. Animation Alley will be located in the Lower Theatre Court at Paseo Colorado. One of the Festival sponsors, Jet Blue will be awarding free roundtrip tickets (anywhere the airline flies to) to the first-place winning mural team in Animation Alley. Furthermore, they will also be awarding roundtrip tickets to first, second and third-place winning team in the overall festival competition. The tickets are good for one year.

In 2010, the Pasadena Chalk Festival introduced a new addition for the artist that is still a "must-see" among festival-goers. On the Upper Theatre Court, the new Chalk of Fame- sponsored by ArcLight Pasadena – is designated for artists who will create chalk murals of famous movie posters. A special prize provided by the movie theater will be awarded to the winning mural in this category.  

Always a highlight of the Pasadena Chalk Festival is the Artist Gallery where people can bid on affordable, small painted canvases created by the participating artists and a variety of Festival merchandise that will be available for purchase with proceeds benefiting the Light Bringer Project. Dick Blick Art Materials will be providing new unpainted 12" x 12" canvases the artists use to create their art donation for the silent auction. They also will be providing pastel chalks for the artists.

Likewise, The City of Pasadena Cultural Affairs Division is a major sponsor of the Chalk Festival. They generously provided a sizeable grant to assist with the production of one of the city's most prominent public event.

At the conclusion of the festival, participating artists will select the outstanding murals of the festival from amongst their peers.  Awards include 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Place Best of Show, Best Technique, Best Use of Color, Best Artist Original Design and more. Festival visitors will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite mural, the "Paseo Colorado People's Choice" award. Ballots will be available in the shopping center's participating retail stores.

The Pasadena Chalk Festival benefits the community arts programs of the Light Bringer Project, a Pasadena-based, non-profit arts organization founded by local residents who were interested in the role the arts, architecture and design played in the growth and development of their community.  For more information on Light Bringer Project programs and partnerships, visit www.lightbringerproject.com. 

Paseo Colorado is located at 280 East Colorado Boulevard (between Marengo and Los Robles Avenues) in the heart of Pasadena's historic downtown Civic Center.  Plenty of convenient parking is available. For festival information call (626) 795-8891 or visit www.pasadenachalkfestival.com.

SOURCE Paseo Colorado